Buildings collapse in southern Italy; 3 missing

The Associated Press

Rescue workers are searching for a family of three who had been staying in a residential building in southern Italy that collapsed following an explosion caused by a gas leak on Thursday. At least 10 people in surrounding buildings were slightly injured.

Conversano Mayor Giuseppe Lovascio told Sky 24 Italian television that an Italian-Dutch couple with a small child had arrived from the Netherlands two days ago. He said their whereabouts is unknown, and that authorities have tried calling their mobile phone, but it went unanswered.

`'We cannot rule out victims," Lovascio said.

Lovascio said the injured in the nearby buildings included a child. The explosion occurred in the historic center of the town, which has been evacuated due to a smell of gas.

A second building that collapsed was not occupied.

Conversano is located south of the city of Bari in the Apulia region, which forms the heel of the Italian boot.